Stephanie Cutter named acting city manager; mayor calls for a united Savannah

Assistant City Manager Stephanie Cutter, left, is applauded after accepting the appointment of acting city manager Thursday. Cutter was unanimously voted into the acting role following the resignation of Rochelle Small-Toney.

The seat of Savannah City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney, right foreground, sits empty as Mayor Edna Jackson announces that the city manager submitted her resignation letter shortly before City Council’s special meeting Thursday.

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News The seat of Savannah City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney sits empty as Mayor Edna Jackson reads the resignation letter submitted by the City Manager shortly before Thursday's special City Council meeting. Council voted 6-3 to accept Small-Toney's resignation.

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News The seat of Savannah City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney sits empty as Mayor Edna Jackson reads the resignation letter submitted by the City Manager shortly before Thursday's special City Council meeting. Council voted 6-3 to accept Small-Toney's resignation.

A subdued audience of about three dozen filled Savannah City Council chambers for a special meeting to determine the fate of City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney.

Her official tenure ended with little of the turmoil associated with her 18 months of management and with none of the vocal protest that punctuated the last week after Mayor Edna Jackson had asked for her resignation.

After a 90-minute executive session, Jackson resumed the public meeting by stating she had received Small-Toney’s written resignation about 8:30 that morning.

Three times, Jackson invited anyone who wanted to speak to come to the microphone.

Only one woman did, and her final question to council was one they had wrestled with, publicly and privately, for weeks: “Is there any way that this could have been avoided?”

The time for that question had passed, though.

In two quick votes, council members accepted the resignation and appointed Assistant City Manager Stephanie Cutter as acting city manager.

The vote on resignation was 6-3, with staunch Small-Toney supporters John Hall, Estella Shabazz and Mary Osborne voting against.

The vote for Cutter was unanimous. Under the charter, she can serve for three months before council needs to name a replacement or extend her service.

Council reaction

Mayor Pro Tem Van Johnson and Alderman Tony Thomas echoed the assessment that council need not rush a search for a replacement.

“I think that we need to restore some stability to our organization and get a firm understanding of where the organization is,” Johnson said.

Jackson, initially one of Small-Toney’s strongest supporters, admitted it was a difficult time for all involved. She thanked Small-Toney for her five years of city service, and later said the decision was not meant to hurt her but needed to come because “this fit was not for her at this time.”

“It is now time for this community and this council to come together,” Jackson told the audience “We are not a white Savannah. We are not a black Savannah. We are a Savannah that must stay together for the good of the community.”

Johnson regretted the outcome, but saw little other choice.

“I pray for Rochelle and her family,” he said. “She’s a brilliant woman. She’ll always have a special place in this city’s heart. I’m sorry that her departure had to be under these circumstances.”

Shabazz, Hall and Osborne had all acknowledged the mismanagement rippling through city departments, and Shabazz and Osborne had asked some of the more pointed questions during council reviews.

What they could not support was removing Small-Toney without giving her more time to correct problems.

The city manager was reprimanded Aug. 31 after revelations about her failure to adhere to travel policy and a Purchasing Department overrun with payment problems.

Council asked for immediate improvement. They stipulated that within 90 days they would provide her a comprehensive evaluation of her performance. Other missteps, though, quickly followed, including a letter that threatened Cutter with termination if she could not address problems in the Purchasing Department. Current and former Purchasing employees say that though their department fell under Cutter’s supervision, Small-Toney had direct involvement and allowed Cutter no decision making. On Sept. 26, in a special work session, a majority of council supported the mayor’s request for the city manager’s resignation.

Hall opposed it then as he did Thursday.

“We had given her that period of time to bring her house in order,” he said. “I really wanted to stand by that commitment. It was a matter of principle. ... Did I act in good faith? I believe I did.”

Hall does not believe the divided vote will have a lingering effect for council, and by the end of the regular meeting a relaxed banter, missing for weeks, had returned.

Thomas also believes the full council is ready to return to issues other than day-to-day management of the city.

He and other council members had called for, and were assured by Incoming City Attorney Brooks Stillwell, that an audit of funds would occur and that such a step was a normal practice anytime a chief executive officer left an organization.

Cutter accepts

The satisfaction in seeing Cutter named acting city manager was immediate. Council members, employees and residents credit her with being fair, honest and hard-working.

“I assure you,” she told council, “I will give this challenge my utmost. I will lead on trust, transparency and accountability.”

Cutter, 55, has been a city employee for 23 years. She rose through the ranks, first as a budget analyst, later as director of the Sanitation Department and for the last two years serving as an assistant city manager. For the last year, she has overseen the bureaus of Management Services and Community and Economic Development.

She’s a Savannah native, grew up in Liberty City and graduated from Windsor Forest High School and what was then Savannah State College.

She does not want the city manager’s job on a permanent basis.

Even in Sanitation, known as one of the more rough-and-tumble, demanding city departments, she earned widespread respect for balancing her expectation that the job get done well with her fairness toward employees.

“I like her drive,” said Anthony Hood, a 14-year city employee who worked with her in Sanitation. “She’s a hard worker. She leads by example. She’s about solving problems, but she has a proper way of handling people.”

Lamonica Golden, an equipment operator in Sanitation, recalled an incident years ago when a distraught employee wasn’t sure how she could get her handicapped daughter to a special school and keep her work schedule.

Cutter rearranged the woman’s schedule so she would be able to take her daughter to school.

“She makes you feel important every day,” Golden said. “She’s genuinely concerned, and if there’s a problem, she hears both sides before she makes a decision.”

No one, Golden said, should mistake Cutter’s soft-spoken tone with an inability to lead.

“Her tone and demeanor is very tender, but when she has to, she can get very tough.”

Final details

In her letter of resignation, Small-Toney stated the terms of her departure.

She will receive six months’ pay and, as any employee would, credit for accrued vacation pay.

She may be entitled to more pay than she realizes. In a letter dated March 2012, Jackson outlined Small-Toney’s compensation plan approved by the new council.

It included a 2 percent salary increase retroactive to January.

City staff, including the Clerk of Council and Human Resources, never got a copy of that letter, and Small-Toney’s pay throughout this year remained at $190,575.

It should have been $194,386.

At that rate, her six months’ pay would be $97,193.

Bret Bell, the city’s spokesman, said no one could immediately explain why the raise hadn’t taken effect, but it would be researched.

Small-Toney also notified the mayor she would schedule a time to return all city property she has and would vacate her office in five days.

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Hope Rochelle does not pursue unnecessary legal battles. Guess I am foolish to think this will not be a long drawn out and dramatic battle between Rochelle and her foes. Too bad Johnny Cochran is not alive to represent her.

I have been asking since January,...Did the County pay any members dues to the NFBPA , AGAIN this year ? Why does Van Johnson STILL have a job in H.R. as this is an OBVIOUS conflict of interest and most likely a unlawful abuse of power and discrimination. The City, COUNTY, and ESPECIALLY the SCHOOL BOARD need to be investigated by FEDERAL authorities for the OBVIOUS RICO, and Racketeering that was Run wild, and left us broke with new schools and old problems. ( the NFBPA ) No wonder we have the lowest performing schools in the country, and pay the HIGHEST price / per student. I don't care if it takes EVERY BUS in Chatham county to carry ALL of them off to jail, it would be the best use of these vehicles yet.

The NFBPA is NOT a racist organization. Organizations that help certain groups of people who are disproportionately underrepresented in government and/or affected by societal ills is not racist. Here is the definition of racist according to Webster: 1) a person who believes in racism, the doctrine that a certain human race is superior to any or all others. The NFBPA nor its members believe that Blacks are superior to whites or any other group for that matter. Blacks have historically been underrepresented in local, state, and the federal governments partly because of REAL SYSTEMATIC racism that kept millions of Black people from voting. Today throughout the U.S. African American governmental representation is grossly disproportionate to population size. Savannah is one of the few exceptions on a local level where this is not the case and this occured relatively recently. The NFBPA's mission is to help strenghten African American representation in government because it is a REAL issue. On a national level, which is the scope of the NFBPA, there are currently NO African American Senators and only 43 Black reps in the house , and only one African American has ever held the seat of the President. The state of GA is similar with 13 Black state senators out of 55 and 38 Black reps out of 180. Racism has been one of the most hideous phenomena in American history and to throw that word around without knowing what it means is ignorant and offensive. The same has been said about the 100 Black Men Organization who were formed to address issues in the black community that resulted from absent fathers. Why so many of you attack these organizations that help people become successful citizens and that show no signs of racism is beyond me! Your argument boils down to: "If an organization helps Black people, then it is racist!" You sound as if you don't think Black people deserve to be helped despite the societal ills that affect them disproportionately. I truly hope that is not your intention. I suggest that you take a Sociology course or an African American studies class before you start making racist accusations about organizations that benefit underserved communities. Though your ignorance may be bliss it is greatly offensive. Any questions?

I agree with tax payers not having to pay membership fees only if we do not have to pay fees that are associated with other governmental conferences, organizations, trainings etc. This would be only fair according to your logic.

I think that ALL members of staff whether white, black, hispanic, asian etc. can BENEFIT from trainings hosted by Black organizations. Do you feel that Black Organizations are ill equipped at developing public servants? Have you attended an NFBPA meeting, conference or training? If so, what did you find racist? Also, if you have attended did you find some aspects of the training, meeting, and/or conference helpful?

Before you comment it would be helpful to read my entire posting. As I mentioned SAvannah is a local area that does have a significant amount of Black representation. Being that it is in the top ten cities on the East Coast with the highest proportions of Black people this is understandable. However you fail to explain why the hatred for organizations like the 100 Black men and the NFBPA is so rampant among commenters here.

So you are saying that by 1983 Affirmative Action had solved all of the problems that Blacks had faced in the 300 years of systematic racism prior to the passing of that piece of legislation!! If that were the case, your logic would be valid. However, that was not the case. Thus, your ignorance of even recent Black history and society in general clouds your understanding of why an NFBPA or 100 Black Men are needed. Secondly, I don't have an agenda here so the "baiting" accusation is not necessary. However, when people misrepresent the mission of an organization, especially one that helps people in disadvantaged communities I must speak up. I suggest that you do a little more research and study before you give such strong opinions. As the book reads "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Proverbs17:28

Ok so let me get this straight. You are comparing the KKK, which employed terroristic stategies such as church bombings, lynchings, assasinations, torture, and rape; and who supported and implemented state and local legislation that systematically reduced Blacks to second class citizens creating an apartheid system that lasted another 100 years after the end of the civil war; and that openly justified these actions on the basis of White Supremacist ideology to the of NFBPA and the 100 Black men? Talk about comparing Apples to Oranges!!! WOW!! I can't believe that people in 2012 can be this ignorant!! Secondly, I am not a member of the Black Panther Party however I do know their history and the contex in which they exist. However, my profile pic had nothing to do with the BPP. I simply thought it was a cool picture. Finally, why do you resort to name calling when I have presented my arguments with the utmost respect for the rest of the commenters even though I disagree with their views. I think you should try to do the same. We are are adults (I think) and civilized people and should be able to disagree without reverting back to grade school name calling. I think you owe me an apology sir.

First, we must make the distinction between "race" and "ethnicity" and/or "minority group". We also have to make the distinction between helping a group of people because they need help and "racism". Scientifically there are no differing races among the human species only the human race. There are however hundreds if not thousands of ethnic groups which make up larger societies. In America, Blacks or African Americans make up a distinct ethnic group (i.e. minority group) which has historically been placed at a disadvantage because of systematic practices of ordinary citizens and federal state and local governments, as well as non governmental organizations. Thus, throughout the countries history various organizations have been created to address their particular needs from the Slavery to single parent households and provide solutions to the problems created by the inequality that resulted from policies and actions conducted by White Supremacist/racist. The same was done for women who to have been systematically oppressed. The vast majority of these ethnic based organizations (including the NFBPA and the 100 Black Men) do not use or support racist ideology. They, in the spirit of the organizations which came before them, help Black people (i.e.African Americans) to overcome various problems that they face, many that disproportionately affect Black people. Thus, once the existence of these organizations is put into the proper context and the legacy of racism and the History of Black people are taken into consideration a more clearer and less threating view of them can be realized. However, some people today (White and Black) fail to make these considerations or place these organizations in the proper context. In fact, through your logic all women's rights organizations would be sexist because they are designed to help women. Secondly, as I mentioned above racism is the belief that one race is superior to another; and those who are racist historically (and currently) have implemented laws, perfomed terroristic actions etc. to ensure that one race has "power" over the other race and that the Laws of the nation help one race and hinder another from access to power. I don't think the NFBPA is trying to create laws that disadvantage white people and give Blacks unequal control over power and resources (at least that is not what there mission statement says and I have not known any of their members to promote such ideas). Thus, an organization trying to get African AMericans elected into office (which they are underrepresented nationally) and that provides training for them or one that focuses its attention on Black youth because of the issue of fatherlessness is not racist in the least bit. The NFBPA was created in response to a problem just like the 100 Black men; not because they believe Blacks are superior to whites but because it is a real issue that the organization wanted to focus its energy addressing. Sorry for the long response however it seems like many people are quite uninformed about race and Black history. I hope this provides at least some clearity.

No matter how hard you try to convince these people that NFPBA is not a racist organization by stating the facts these people have been brainwashed to believe that this organization is racist. The goal of the organization is to make sure that black have equal access in the field of public administration.

Is my tax money being WASTED on ANYTHING that does not benefit EVERYBODY. Period, simple.

Does my tax money FUND the 100 men ? If so I will ADD them to MY list.

Do the NFBPA give any continuing education points for ANY PROFESSIONAL LICENSE ? ( if so whose? ) If not, it is ABSOLUTELY a waste of taxpayer money. Join the " Club" with your own money on your own time and quit asking the taxpayers to pay for the time off, rooms, and meals.

Please would you show some evidence that the NFBPA has discriminated against someone. As Ellsworth pointed out anybody can join BLack, White, Asian whoever. However their mission is to:

"strengthen the position of Blacks within the field of public administration; to increase the number of Blacks appointed to executive positions in public service organizations; and, to groom and prepare younger, aspiring administrators for senior public management posts in the years ahead."

So here are a few key questions I pose to you. 1) Do you not like the idea of Black people being in public administrative positions? 2) Do you think that nationally Blacks are equally represented in the government as whites? And if so, 3) do you think that there should not be an organization that helps Black people to be successful administrators; administrators that will eventually serve the interests of all Americans not just Black interests (which by the way are American interests)? And lastly 4) Are organizations wrong for focusing on one group of people to help even if other groups are welcome to join and have access to the same resources as the targeted group? I think these are important questions for you who hate this organization so much to answer. I have posed these exact same questions on several occasions on this website and have yet to get a respectful or thorough response.

Ah Savannah you only see in black and white....Being a native NYC'er it was much better when the Italians, irish, jews, indian, asians, blacks and hispanics all wanted their piece of the unions and governments...I cant wait til the day Savannah starts to see in color...

I totally understand your concern about how your tax dollars are being spent. And personally I don't know if administrators get certificates or licenses or not. Do you? Also, can you quantify the benfits that administrators recieve through the training and information provided by this organization? Have you (or anyone else) done a cost benefit analysis that shows whether or not paying for our administrators to be apart of the NFBPA benefits the people of Savannah and if so to what degree? Now I'm not proposing that it does, however many of you are making accusations about how your taxes are being spent without any relevant information outside ofthe organizations mission statement. I would assume that training and information sessions etc, which are designed to help public administrators would have some positive effect on the decisions that PA's make. RST obviously raises some red flags about the ligitimacy of the organization. However there are many more elected and appointed officals that are apart of the organization that in my opinion are doing a fine job. Anyway, the point is it seems that those of you who are upset about your taxes (which only a fraction of 1% goes to the membership of this organization) have little to no information about the organization. How is this an informed decision or judgement?

I have not the time or desire to educate or debate. My OPINIONS are no better than anyone else.

The city and county employs many professionals that MUST attend schools to remain proficient and earn points to keep their licenses as required by law. We (the taxpayers )cannot afford to send any of these people anywhere that is not accredited. Its a CLUB ( the nfbpa ) use your OWN MONEY.

I think the dues could be categorized as a job related expense. But I know a lot of you may not see it that way because most of you do not know the definition of a racist organization. It is common for organization to pay membership dues if it is related to the job. Since city council memberships are in the field of public administration it makes sense for them to be a part of this organization.

" I don't think the NFBPA is trying to create laws that disadvantage white people and give Blacks unequal control over power and resources."

Think again.

The white man is two points down when compared to the black man and black and white woman getting a job or scholarships. The laws are already created, the trying has already happened. Not once but twice.
The NFBPA double dips unfairly. The mindset this has created caused Savannah some serious repercussions. Just imagine If these practices are done on the whole entirety of the USA. The formula is racist and dooming to all. No one really wins, we all lose out. It creates a unfairness to me: a white female. If it creates a unfairness to me, it certainly creates an unfairness to the white male.

How would you feel if they got rid of, " You can join no matter the color of your skin, but even if you are white or black member, you have to hire the BLACK person, even if they are under-qualified?

try it this way:" You can join no matter the color of your skin, but even if you are white or black member, you have to hire the WHITE person, even if they are under-qualified?

They just want the money for their non profit organization, that's why anyone can join, plus it looks better on the surface, and they have it all sewed up with the white and others memberships in order to get any undeserving, under-qualified black person into the political door. Then a disaster happens within the political structure and we all get the short end of stick. Not so good of plan there, when it is extremely simplified. Playing catch up later, is a disaster in the makings. Your by laws are illogical and insulting to all HUMANS!

The answer to the first question is no. I would find an organization with a mission statement like that unnecessary but not racist. The reason I say it would be unnecessary is that there is not a lack of whites in govermental positions in this country. The answer to your second question is yes. If there were a lack of whites in governmental positions then I would not have a problem with taxpayer money being used. I think diversity in our government is a good thing. So if whites were a minority and faced the type of racism and discrimination that blacks were subjected to I would not have a problem with your hypothetical organization. You have to do more than change the races around you have to also put it in a proper historical context.

First you conveniently avoided my 4th question. And I will address your answers to my first three shortly. Secondly, the question that you posed to wthomas76 can not be answered in a simple yes or no fashion because the present conditions of Whites and the history of White people do not mirror that of Blacks. Thus, to try to counter my or his argument through this strategy does not follow the rules of logic. Now, if Whites had had at least a similar experience in this country as a whole that Blacks have had my answer would certainly be NO that organization is not racist. However, that is not the case as history reveals. But, even if this reality is ignored my answer is still NO. Although I would question the motives of the organization being that their is no empirically verifiable evidence that Whites are underrepresented or ever have been underrepresneted in the U.S. government and the fact that a significant number of "White" organizations have and do support White Supremacy. But what I would not do is discredit that organization and label it racist just because it sees a need to help White people become better, more successful public administrators. I personally have no problem with White people representing me as long as they are fair and represent my interest and, like you mentioned, are the best most qualified person for the job. And if this organization does live up to its mission it will train PA's to be the best for the job. However, White people who follow a racist/White Supremacist doctrine as well as Black people who follow a Black Supremacist doctrine I will not support. Finally, about the tax dollars, being that I don't think that your hypothetical NFWPA is a "racist" organization I would utilize other methods (like finding out more information about it, going to some meetings and others I mentioned earlier in my comment to Tybeenian etc.) outside of just reading the mission statement to determine whether or not my tax dollars were being spent effeciently and effectively. I hope this anwers you question.

With all due respect [filtered word]????????Sports teams and governments are two totally different topics with two totally different impacts on society. I can't begin to tell you how silly that statement was. What made you think that was a good thing to say?

One characteristic of racism is the illogical, unwarranted and/or unprovoked fear and hatred of people and/or organizations that are not traditionally of your race, ethnicity, tribe etc. So let me make sure I understand your argument. You admit that the NFBPA has White members correct? But you claim that the only reason they have these members is to further their "racist" agenda? However you have not provided any evidence that supports your theory...it is a fear or concern and clearly a hatred that is illogical, unwarranted, and unprovoked. Not calling you a racist because I don't know you, but I'm not sure where your fear and concern comes from when there is no evidence to back your claim.

Yes I see. His fallacy is that he assumes that his understanding and interpretation of racism is "universal". However, as you and I have demostrated it is not. I don't discredit his concern however. He, like many other concerned Americans, do not want unqualified people (in this case RST) making important decisions that will ultimately affect the public as a whole. I too share this concern. I think that Affirmative Action was and is needed in this country in light of its racist and oppressive history. However, I don't think that Affirmative Action should trump qualifications. I feel the same about organizations that attempt to provide a more equal playing field among people of color like the NFBPA, however if this leads to cronyism and unqualified people running our highest civic positions then that is a problem. But to label this organization as "racist" is a total misunderstanding of the term. And as I mentioned before when you can't back this claim up with empirically verifiable evidence it becomes offensive.

I will certainly not argue all day. I think I've made my point quite clear anyway. At least with more clearity than you and those who have attempted to counter my arguments. You can't call an organization "racist" when it dosen't fit the definition. You can't call a dog a bird no matter how upset or misinformed you are about it. And if your going to continue to be mad about the government spending tax dollars on a "racist" organization that is clearly by all defenitions not "racist" then by all means be mad;-) However, I will still be right; the NFBPA will still continue to exist; and the local government will still continue to put your two cents in to support it. Its been great debating with you civilized folk but I have to go. Peace

I wonder how many other minority groups have..Battalion Chiefs in the Fire Dept, Lt, Capt, Majors or assistant chiefs in the Police Dept..How many are Bureau heads in the city of savannah or the county...How many are helped by the MWBE?....If there are none then certainly it seems there is something going on....The Black Community is NOT the only minority group...Sounds pretty fishy to me....

The evidence is in the criteria of NFBPA, and what happens to Savannah when NFBPA is in the equation. I really don't have to do much to back my claim; Otis' club speaks loudly in and of itself, around the USA.

Your evidence is here:
You can join no matter the color of your skin, but even if you are white or black member, you have to hire the BLACK person, even if they are under-qualified. There is too much evidence that this happens, for you to deny.
Certainly you wouldn't want a pilot, doctor, mechanic, police officer being hired under that well planned fiasco. Or maybe you would?

and they have a club for black police officers too. I haven't read the bylaws of that club. If it's anything like the NFBPA we are in a world of hurt.
Let me put your mind to rest: I don't like the White KKK type movements, no more or no less than the Black KKK, or any other KKK type movements.
Those racist clubs and movements are equally evil, but separate. The agenda is the same :
"Hatred for another race."
I can't stand their agendas equally and fairly. Now if that might make me a racist, so be it.

What will the government do when they find it to be a racist/discriminating club infiltrating the government?
Will they look the other way, or will they decide to bust it up altogether? (That would probably depend on, if they are a member or not. )

"Three times, Jackson invited anyone who wanted to speak to come to the microphone."

"Only one woman did, and her final question to council was one they had wrestled with, publicly and privately, for weeks:

“Is there any way that this could have been avoided?”

I've always stated, "there is no such thing as, a stupid question."
However now, I must declare, There is an exception to every rule set forth.
Wonder if I will find another question as stupid as that one, in the next 40 years... I sure hope not. That is one doozy of a question presented to council. If they don't know, by hiring someone that isn't qualified is a recipe for disaster, they have no business representing anyone in Savannah. All of Savannah can thank Otis' for that in your face attitude.That racist discriminating club ain't working out too good. duh... What is the average IQ for that bunch of politicians?

well... while they are deciding if this club is or isn't racist or discriminating against others, could you make sure in the process that you don't make the USA a third world country... Much obliged if you can see your way through that pesky obligation.

This is my first time posting a comment after reading the SMN for two years. I was inspired to post a comment because of posts made by Black Man X. I am not part of your community and I only offer my comment as an outsider.
I must admit I have been bothered after learning that a public official would belong to an organization that, as one of its missions, supports the advancement of a person based on race. I cannot imagine how upset I would be if public officials in my city belonged to an organization whose mission was to further the advancement of Caucasians.
Black Man X has done a great job putting it into perspective for me today. He is correct that there are, generally speaking, a disproportionate number of African Americans in public positions relative to the population. Black Man X's post has helped me see a need for organizations like the NFBPA and 100 Black Men.
What I hope would never happen is that an employee candidate is given an advantage based on race.
Thank you Black Man X, for helping put things into prospective :)

that can't look past the color of someone else's skin or their own, one that uses the color of skin to justify needing special treatment or justify hate is a racist and a bigot, I could careless what color, religion or sex you are or are not. If you can't be strong enough to take charge of your life despite obstacles that you refuse to overcome than no one owes you anything. If you play a victim,you will always be one.
Really... I don't care about anyone's ancestors because I have black slaves and American Indian in my family and I'm not crying its not fair!
Nothing makes me more angry than someone screaming I need special privileges but I don't want to do anything to help myself.
There are people I know that have gone from living in a box, drugs, sexual abuse and jail to actually making something of themselves. So why can't every other able body person?
Americans (all colors included since that is such a big deal) need to grow up and stop being such little brats. Do what is good for our City and our Country instead of what is good for ourselves. This is why politics is a joke. The lobbyist and special interest groups run it while all the little people are acting like little kids.
If you are in politics and are associated with any groups that discriminates against others not like you than you are NOT speaking all your citizens, period. Deal with it and suck it up people.

There are numerous organizations that promote the interests of a variety ethnic groups but the only organizations that receive the racist label are organizations that promote the interest of blacks. I wonder why.

You may want to read my response Westicle you asked me a similar hypothetical question. If there was data to support that there was a lack of men in governmental positions which obviously there is not and if men was historically subjected to sexism and discrimination then I would not have a problem with an organization that helped to give men equal access in the field of public administration.

Instead of all of these wasteful arguments why not figure out how to unite and advance all people? To say someone is or isn't qualified based solely on ethnicity is racist.

It is crazy that when the governing body of Savannah was non black nobody had a problem with how things were run? They even allowed Susan Weiner and her hiding in the closet still wearing his white sheet husband to be the mayor. The same people let Michael Brown and John Rousakis do their thing no matter how crooked or underhanded but, now the face is not the color of flour and we have an issue.

If all the people in these positions were non black half of this conversation wouldn't be taking place. Yes I do agree that Van Johnson being in his position on the council and his position with the county is a conflict but somewhere along the line they grandfathered him in.

I have a problem with crooked leaders and people not qualified to be in their position no matter what their race. If we gathered All city and county employees and compared the qualifications of their positions with the actual qualifications they have we would fire at least 25% of the staff if not more. We would also find that a great number of people are being supervised by people that are less qualified than they. Nepotism, favoritism, friendship, the good old boy system, and favors are what has placed a lot f Savannah's city and count employees in their positions not their qualifications regardless of their race.

When will Savannah ever be a place for all people no matter race ?????????????????????????